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SCIENTISTS
DISCOVER ACTIVE CHEMICAL IN CURRY THAT MAY HELP IMMUNE SYSTEM
CLEAR AMYLOID PLAQUES FOUND IN ALZHEIMER'S DISEASE
Date:
July 16, 2007
Contact: John Cashman (JCashman@hbri.org)
Phone: 858-458-9305
Researchers
suspect new clues about the identified key genes involved
in the process may reveal insights into new medications development
San Diego, Calif.
(July 16, 2007)—Human BioMolecular Research Institute
(HBRI), a leading non-profit research institute, announced
today that in a study conducted jointly with UCLA, and published
in the July 16th issue of the Proceedings of the National
Academy of Sciences, has discovered a potentially new way
to treat Alzheimer’s Disease. Findings link defective
human genes called MGAT III and Toll-like receptors, to the
abnormal accumulation of amyloid beta, a peptide that form
the plaques found in Alzheimer’s disease. Researchers
isolated the active ingredient in curcumin – a chemical
found in curry and tumeric – that may help boost the
immune system in clearing amyloid beta, which form the plaques
found in Alzheimer’s disease. Turmeric, a yellowish
herb, is often ground up and used in numerous curry dishes
and other foods throughout India, Asia and the Middle East.
Using blood samples from Alzheimer’s disease patients,
researchers found in cell cultures that an isolated ingredient
in curcumin called bisdemethoxycurcumin boosted immune system
cells called macrophages to clear amyloid beta in cells from
most Alzheimer’s patients.
“These findings
elucidate important clues to the mechanism of amyloid accumulation
in Alzheimer’s patients and the susceptibility to treat
amyloid plaques with new chemical entities”, according
to John Cashman, Ph.D., HBRI Director and co-author of the
publication with Dr. Milan Fiala of UCLA.
The study provides
more insight into the role of the immune system in Alzheimer’s
disease and points to a new treatment approach. Researchers
say that it may be possible to test a patient’s immune
response with a blood sample in order to individualize treatment.
The genes involved in the process, called MGAT III and toll-like
receptors, are also responsible for a number of other key
functions in the brain. Although the mechanism of amyloid
accumulation has been studied for many years, the molecular
basis for its formation remains elusive.
Curry has been
used safely in humans for thousands of years. "These
herbs have been used by indigenous peoples for treatment of
neurological disorders such as epilepsy, so there could be
something here," said Steven Pacia, Director of Neurology
at Lenox Hill Hospital in New York.
"This is a
fascinating study, especially in that it shows differences
in how the immune system works in removing amyloid-beta from
patients who are normal and who have Alzheimer's disease,"
he told UPI.
"Even
more interesting is that it appears that the addition of this
turmeric compound improves the removal of amyloid-beta. It
is the buildup of amyloid-beta in the brain that is the leading
hypothesis for the cause of Alzheimer's disease," he
said.
Dr. John Cashman's research funding was provided in part by
the Alzheimer's Drug Discovery Foundation (ADDF) through a
research award program made possible by Elan Pharmaceuticals,
Inc. According to ADDF Executive Director Howard Fillit, MD,
"We are pleased to be able to support Dr. Cashman's innovative
work with new immune modulators for Alzheimer's disease. His
promising test results using the natural product curcuminoids
are very exciting and we look forward to furthering the advancement
of this novel approach to Alzheimer's drug discovery research."
The study was also funded in part by the Alzheimer’s
Disease Association to Dr. Milan Fiala. The work expands previous
studies suggesting that small molecules can stimulate the
immune system and have a beneficial effect on complex diseases
such as Alzheimer’s Disease.
About HBRI:
The Human BioMolecular Research Institute is a non-profit
research institute conducting basic research focused on unlocking
biological and chemical principles related to diseases of
the human brain. The institute conducts fundamental studies
of central nervous system disorders and translates findings
into new drug development to address human illness. In addition,
the institute promotes scientific learning through community
service and public access by disseminating information and
sharing research with collaborators, colleagues and the public.
For more information, visit www.HBRI.org.
About UCLA:
The University of California Los Angeles is one of the premier
research universities in the world. Dr. Milan Fiala, a researcher
with the David Geffen School of Medicine and the VA Greater
Los Angeles Health Care System is a leading researcher in
the study of Alzheimer’s Disease and other immune-related
diseases.
About
the Alzheimer's Drug Discovery Foundation (ADDF):
The ADDF is a public charity established in 2004 to expand
upon the programs initiated by the Institute for the Study
of Aging (ISOA), a private foundation founded by the Estee
Lauder family in 1998. The sole mission is to accelerate drug
discovery research to prevent, treat and cure Alzheimer's
disease, related dementias and cognitive aging through venture
philanthropy. To date, ADDF and ISOA have awarded $28.7 million
for 195 research programs and conferences worldwide. For more
information about the ADDF, visit www.alzdiscovery.org.
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